Most countries in South Asia are known for having great food, and Bangladesh is no exception. It has a long history of cultural and culinary traditions that make it a must on any foodie’s travel bucket list. The capital city, Dhaka, is one of the one of the most densely populated cities on Earth, with over 20 million people calling the Greater Dhaka area home. You can expect your trip to Dhaka to be one of constant action and incredible flavors.
Dhaka as a Tourist Destination
Given its high density and fast pace, Dhaka is a city with a lot going on. The city has a 2000-year history as a popular location for trade, and there are many museums where you can learn all about it. As well as great food, you can expect to find plenty of parks, mosques, markets, and extremely hospitable people.
Like much of the world, Bangladesh’s tourism industry took a hit between 2019 and 2021, but it has since seen a resurgence. In 2022, the country saw a massive 292% increase in tourists as compared to the previous year, and projections suggest the sector could grow by as much as 7.75% between 2023 and 2027.
Part of this expectation is due to the introduction of a Tourism Master Plan from the Bangladeshi government. The plan is focused on growing tourism within Bangladesh but making sure to do so in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.
In addition to the Master Plan, infrastructure is also being developed. The Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport very recently welcomed the opening of its third terminal, and this could potentially increase the number of foreign airlines operating in Bangladesh to over 40, up from its current 33.
Currently, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Saudi Arabian Airlines are some of the international airlines offering plane tickets to Dhaka. With additional carriers including Air France, Royal Jordanian Airlines, and Air Canada expressing an interest in operating in Bangladesh, we should expect that many more people will be planning trips to places like Dhaka when they may not have considered doing so before.
Traditional Bangladeshi Street Food
Given its vast history, Bangladesh has a long list of traditional dishes that can be found today. More than that, like in many neighboring South Asian countries, street food is a big deal. Dhaka is home to an estimated 1 million plus rickshaws, too. This all means that heading out on a rickshaw through chaotic traffic to sample different types of street food is one of the best ways to explore the city.
In terms of the best dishes to look out for, one must-try is shorshe ilish, which is hilsa fish cooked in mustard curry. This is a seasonal delicacy, but you might be able to find it year-round in some places. Kacchi biryani is another popular meal that involves tender mutton layered with aromatic rice, and bhuna khichuri, morog polao, and chingri malai curry are other staples that represent Bangladesh’s culinary heritage.
When you’re focusing on street food in particular, you’ll find different parts of the city offer unique food choices. The narrow alleys of Old Dhaka are filled to the brim with vendors serving delicious snacks that are often accompanied by cups of tea, something you’ll find is commonplace throughout Bangladesh. This area is also great for finding local delicacies like chotpoti (spicy peas salad), bhelpuri (puffed rice with tangy tamarind sauce), and jhalmuri (spicy puffed rice).
In the areas surrounding Dhaka University and Paribagh Overbridge, you can expect to find carts offering perfectly cooked kebabs or tangy phuchka (hollow fried dough filled with tamarind water). Meanwhile, over at Chawkbazar, you’ll find tons of biryani options and even jilapi, a sweet spiraled dough that’s deep-fried until it’s golden brown.
One other thing to consider is hygiene. No matter where you are in the world, a good rule of thumb when eating street food is to look for vendors who are busy. If the locals trust them, that’s a good signal that you can, as well. Even for the ones who aren’t busy, look for vendors that maintain clean workspaces and cook using fresh ingredients every time.
Dhaka’s Best Restaurants
One of the interesting things about Dhaka is that a number of its best restaurants are located within hotels. For example, take the Grandiose Restaurant at Dhaka Regency Hotel. It is the largest multi-cuisine five-star class restaurant in the country and offers over 100 different dishes from around the world. As well as local cuisine, whether you’re in the mood for pasta from Italy, seafood from countries like Thailand, or an Arabic-style dessert, you’ll find it here.
Two other restaurants within hotels to look out for are The Garden Kitchen at Sheraton Dhaka and Seasonal Tastes at The Westin. The former serves up a mix of Italian, Indian, and international cuisines, while the latter is known for a wide mix, too. Make sure to try either their tempura or mutton nihari.
For a modern East Asian experience, try Hongbao in Suvastu Imam Square. Start with some sweet corn soup, followed by either ma po or edamame truffle dumplings, and finish things off with a mango and coconut ice truffle for dessert.
For food lovers, there’s no doubt that Dhaka should be on your radar. The city’s diverse and vibrant food scene is well worth exploring, and if travel trends are any indication, more and more people are starting to notice.
